Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes, meanwhile, are definitely out, with the back-five forwards scheduled to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage this week.

Hughes re-injured the same knee that was hurt earlier in the season, forcing him out for eight weeks in a spell that encompassed the opening two rounds of the Six Nations, after Joe Launchbury and Francois Trinh-Duc fell into his left leg at the Stade de France.

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Lawes managed to finish the game that ceded the title to Ireland with a round to spare despite his own knee complaint, but he has also been ruled out for 14 weeks – a fortnight longer than the rehabilitation period predicted for Hughes.

The time frame for their recoveries all but ends their hopes of being involved in the three Tests scheduled against the Springboks in June.

“We’re really disappointed. We wish them the best for their recovery, we’ve got close links with the players individually and we’ll be in touch with their physios so we’re part of their rehab process,” Gustard said.

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“It’s an opportunity for somebody else. People heal at different rates so we’ll assess their availability for South Africa as the injuries heal I guess.”